JPH03183928A - Testing device for split sleeve made of ceramic - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application 1] The present invention relates to a testing device for ceramic split sleeves used in optical connectors used in optical communications.

[Conventional technology 1 JIS C5970 is a typical optical connector.
An optical fiber is fixed at the center of a cylindrical bar-shaped 7-erule like the "01 type single-core optical fiber" connector specified in A widely known method is to center the end faces of the ferrules and abut them against each other.

As the alignment sleeve of the optical connector, a cylindrical rod-shaped slit in the axial direction called a split sleeve is widely used. Split sleeves are generally made of phosphor bronze, but split sleeves made of ceramics are also made. In particular, when connecting a zirconia ferrule whose fitting part is made of zirconia ceramics, a split sleeve also made of zirconia ceramics can be used to connect phosphor bronze split sleeves, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 181723/1983. It is known that more stable connection characteristics can be obtained than when using a sleeve.

The following method is known as a method for evaluating such a ceramic split sleeve before it is used in an optical connector.

First, it is common to inspect split sleeves for quality assurance during manufacturing. Specifically, there is a method known as color checking, in which scratches on the surface of a split sleeve are dyed with a dye and visually inspected for the presence of scratches, and a method is known in which the presence or absence of scratches is examined by shining a light source through the split sleeve.

On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-50122, a specific mechanical load is applied to the split sleeve, assuming a state in which a ferrule is fitted, which is difficult to do with the flaw detection method described above.
A guarantee test method that can quantitatively guarantee the life of a ceramic split sleeve is disclosed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] When conducting the conventional guarantee test, it is conceivable to first use an existing tensile strength tester, etc., but in this case, since the ceramic split sleeve has high strength, the rigidity In order to increase the load, the part to which the load is applied is considerably larger than that of the split sleeve, and there are problems such as poor operability of attaching and detaching the split sleeve, so no practical test equipment has been provided.

In addition, the patent application No. 1-50122 has the L shown in Figure 5.
The shaped vertical load applying portion 41 cuts into the slit 3 and acts to open the slit 1-3, and the plate shaped vertical load applying portion shown in Fig. 6 presses the split sleeve 2 from above and below. Since they act to crush, the points of action are biased and concentrated, and due to the structure of the split sleeve 2, especially the slit 3 and the opposite side 2.
The reliability of the test was poor because the strain stress was concentrated on a and the load could not be applied uniformly throughout.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a testing device for ceramic split sleeves that can easily guarantee its life and is highly reliable.

[Means for Solving the Problems 1] In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, a pair of ferrules are fitted into a cylindrical split sleeve in which a slit is formed in the axial direction, and the end face of the ferrule is If the material of the split sleeve of an optical connector that butts against each other is laminated, a specific load is applied to the split sleeve before it is used for the optical connector, and as a standard, it is determined that the split sleeve does not break under the load. In the apparatus for testing the quality of the split sleeve, the shape of the load applying part that applies the load is divided into at least two driving members and a driven member by sliding contact surfaces that contact each other along the longitudinal direction, and - It has a beam-like structure as a free end, and has ridge lines parallel to each other along the long axis direction at the farthest diagonal positions of the outer periphery of the load applying part,
The distance between the ridge lines is smaller than the inner diameter value of the split sleeve,
At least one of the sliding contact surfaces is an inclined surface located between the ridge lines and obliquely intersecting the long axis of the stress applying section, and at least one of the sliding contact surfaces of the load applying section holds the proximal end in a cantilever manner so as to be freely movable in the direction of diameter expansion perpendicular to the long axis, and the driving member of the load application section is reciprocally driven forward and backward in the direction of the long axis, so that the inclined surface is moved relative to the long axis. It has a structure that allows it to slide smoothly.

Furthermore, a piezoelectric element is laminated on at least the driven member of the load applying portion so as to be perpendicular to a plane including both of the ridge lines.

Alternatively, instead of the piezoelectric element, a dielectric layer sandwiched between electrodes may be used.

[Function] According to the test device of the present invention, the shape of the load applying part that applies a load to the split sleeve is divided into at least two driving members and a driven member by a sliding contact surface that contacts each other along the longitudinal direction, and It is a beam-like structure with one free end,
The outer circumferential portion of the load applying portion is provided with ridge lines parallel to each other along the long axis direction at the farthest diagonal positions, and the distance between the ridge lines is smaller than the inner diameter value of the split sleeve. can be inserted from the free end side of the load-applying portion along the longitudinal direction so that the ridge line moves to a diagonal position on the inner periphery thereof.

Further, at least one of the dynamic contact surfaces is an inclined surface that is located between the ridge lines and obliquely intersects with the long axis of the stress applying section, and b-
The two driven members are movable in a direction perpendicular to the long axis, and one member of the load applying section is driven back and forth in the long axis direction. It slides smoothly. Therefore, in the process in which the driving member and the driven part are sliding, the driven member is pushed by the other driving member by the inclined surface, so that the distance between the ridges becomes b larger than the inner diameter value of the split sleeve, and the split sleeve deforms in the direction of widening the slit. As a result, a load corresponding to the amount of deformation of the split sleeve is applied from the load applying section.

Furthermore, since the structure is such that the piezoelectric element is stacked on at least one driven member of the load-applying part so as to be perpendicular to the plane including both of the ridge lines, the reaction force of the load applied to the split sleeve is transferred to the piezoelectric element. A voltage corresponding to the reaction force applied to the piezoelectric element is generated in the piezoelectric element, and as a result, the load applied to the split sleeve can be measured.

In addition, if a dielectric material sandwiched between electrodes is laminated instead of the piezoelectric element, the thickness of the dielectric material changes according to the reaction force, so the capacitance between the electrodes also changes, resulting in The load applied to the split sleeve can be measured as follows.

[Example 1] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a guarantee testing apparatus for ceramic split sleeves according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a jM structure of ceramic preparation three 1 used in this embodiment. FIG. 1(a) is a front view, and FIG. 1(b) is a partially cutaway side view.

In the figure, 1 is a load applying part that applies a load to the ceramic split sleeve, and 2 is the ceramic split sleeve. The ceramic split sleeve 2 is provided with slings 1-3 in the axial direction. The load applying part 1 is separated into two parts: an upper jaw driven part, an upper jaw driving member 1b, and a lower jaw driving member 1b, which are in contact with each other by an inclined surface 4 of a stone drop along the longitudinal direction of the load applying part 1. . The maxillary driven member 1a has a protrusion 5 that allows the maxillary driven member 1a to
Although it is held by a fixed holding part 6, there is a gap 7 between the protrusion 5 and the holding part 6, and the maxillary driven member 1a can move in the vertical direction behind the holding part 6.

The maxillary driven member 1a has a locking protrusion 8 on its free end side, the width W2 of which is slightly smaller than the width W1 of the split sleeve 3. Further, the maxillary driven member 1a is located at the ridge lines 9, 9' of the load application part 1 which are parallel to each other and are farthest apart, sandwiching the inclined surface 4.
The mold elements 10 are stacked so as to be perpendicular to the plane containing the .Meanwhile, the mandibular driving part U1b is connected to the acticoator 11 as shown in FIG. 1(b), and can be moved in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrow α in the figure. .

In addition, in the state shown in Fig. 1, the sweat l1 between the ridge lines 9 and 9'
llII2 is slightly larger than the inner diameter d of the split sleeve 2.

The order of testing f of the ceramic split sleeve 2 according to this example will be explained below.

First, attach the split sleeve 2, align the slit 3 with the locking protrusion 8, and apply the load! : Extrapolate to part j 1. Once the sulin 1-3 passes the locking protrusion 8, rotate the split sleeve 2 around the longitudinal axis so that the end surface of the split sleeve 2 hits the rear end of the lock protrusion 8 as shown in Figure 1. Place it like this. Since this edge g<d holds, the split sleeve 2 can be easily inserted into the load applying section 1.

Next, actuate the actuator 11 to lower the lower jaw driving member 1b.
Give a displacement α in the right direction of the arrow in the figure. Then, the lower jaw driving member 1b slides on the inclined surface 4, so that the upper jaw driven member 1a is pushed upward via the inclined surface 4. At this time, the maxillary driven member 1a moves upward because there is a gap 7 between the protrusion 5 and the holding part 6, and β increases. Therefore, if the displacement α is set appropriately, g>d, and the test load β (see Fig. 2 (a)) is applied to the split sleeve 2 in the direction of expanding the sleeves 1 to 3 evenly in the circumferential and longitudinal directions. It is applied via the abutment ridge 9.9'.

Furthermore, since the piezoelectric element 10 of the maxillary follower U1a has the property of generating a voltage according to the applied load, the test load β can be monitored by measuring the element voltage during the test.
(ff black α can be controlled).

As described above, by using the test device of this embodiment, it is possible to apply a specific load to the ceramic split sleeve 2 before using it in an optical connector, and to test the quality of the split sleeve on the basis of not breaking the sleeve.

The ceramic split sleeve testing device in the first embodiment has the following features.

The first point is that the test can be performed simply by inserting the split sleeve 2 into the load applying part 1 and displacing the mandibular driving member 1b, which increases productivity and reduces test costs. This means that it can be made lower.

The second point to be mentioned is that the load-applying part 1 is difficult to deform because only a uniform compressive force and a small tensile force are applied in the longitudinal direction. Since there is no need to increase the size of the support part, the test apparatus can be constructed in a small size and at low cost.

The third point is that since it is equipped with a piezoelectric element that detects the load during testing, highly accurate testing can be achieved.

2. In the first embodiment, the mandibular driving member 1b may be rigidly fixed, and the acticoator 11 may be connected to the holding portion 6 to apply a displacement in the direction opposite to the displacement α to the maxillary driven member 1a;
The load applying part 1 may have a front shape other than that shown in FIG. 1(a), the load applying part 1 may be divided into two or more parts, or the amount of displacement β may be further increased. It goes without saying that the split sleeve 2 can be destroyed and the strength of the split sleeve 2 can be measured from the piezoelectric element voltage at the time of destruction.

[Example 2] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view of this embodiment.

In this embodiment, a dielectric material 14 sandwiched between electrodes 12 and 13 is used instead of the piezoelectric element 10 in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The same members as those in the first embodiment are given the same arrows.

Therefore, the reaction force of the load applied to the split sleeve 2 is
Since the thickness of the dielectric 14 changes according to the reaction force applied to the split sleeve 2, the capacitance between the electrodes 12 and 13 also changes. It functions similarly to the first embodiment.

As a result, it has the same features as the first embodiment.

[Example 3] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. .

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the guarantee test method for ceramic split sleeves according to the present invention, and FIG. 4(a) is a front view;
FIG. 4(b) is a partially sectional side view.

In the figure, reference numeral 15 is a load applying portion that applies a load to the ceramic split sleeve 2. The load applying section 15 is separated into two parts: an outer driven member 15a and an inner driving section U15b. The outer driven member 15a has a truncated conical inner peripheral side surface and a cylindrical shape with a slit 15G in the longitudinal direction. Further, the outer driven part 015a is held by a fixed holding part 17 by a protrusion 16, but there is a gap 18 between the protrusion 16 and the holding part 17, and a slit 15c is opened in the outer driven member 15a. It can be deformed in any direction. On the other hand, the inner driving part U15b is a rod-shaped part with truncated conical side surfaces on the outer 4 circumferences, and is shown in Fig. 4 (b).
) is connected to two actuators 19k, and can be moved in the horizontal direction indicated by the arrow α in the figure. Further, the outer driven member 15a and the inner driving member 15b are in contact with each other at inclined surfaces 20.21, which are the inner and outer truncated conical surfaces of both sides.

In the state shown in FIG. 4, the outer diameter t'lv 4' of the outer driven member 15a is slightly smaller than the inner diameter d of the sleeve 2.

Below is an example of the third cusp, Reramix split sleeve 2.
Explain the test procedure.

First, the split sleeve 2 is attached to the outer driven member 1 of the load applying section 15.
Insert into 5a. At this time, since β<d, the split sleeve 2 can be easily inserted into the outer driven portion U15a.

Next, the actuator 19 is actuated so that the inner driving member 15
A displacement α in the right direction in the figure is given to b. Then, the inner driving member 15[) moves along the inclined surface 20.21 by one movement, deforming the outer driven member 15a in the direction in which the slit 15G widens, and as a result, β increases.

5 Therefore, if the displacement α is appropriately set as in the first embodiment, l
d, and the test load β in the direction of widening the slit 3 (Fig. 2 (
(see a)) is applied from the ridge line 22, 22' of the load-bearing portion 15.

In the third embodiment (Puru ceramic split sleeve 2)
Since there is no relative movement between the outer driven member 15a and the split sleeve 2, the testing device does not require a part to lock the split sleeve 2 during the test, and the split sleeve 2 can be inserted.
], it is characterized by better operability. Other features are the same as the first embodiment3
゜It should be noted that in the third embodiment, the outer driven member 15a1 and the inner driving member 15b may have a cross-sectional shape other than a cylinder or cylinder, and if a piezoelectric element is laminated on the outer driven portion tl15a, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Needless to say.

[Effects of the Invention] Thus, the ceramic split sleeve guarantee testing device according to the present invention can perform testing with simple operations, resulting in high productivity and low testing costs.

In addition, the load-applying parts are not easily deformed, and the load is applied uniformly evenly, and the structure is simple, so the test apparatus can be constructed in a small size and at a low cost. Furthermore, since it is equipped with an element that detects the load during testing, highly accurate testing can be achieved. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a small and inexpensive test device that can easily and inexpensively guarantee the reliability of ceramic split sleeves, and is effective in stably supplying highly reliable split sleeves.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are a front view and a partially cutaway side view showing a first embodiment of the guarantee testing device for ceramic split sleeves according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are A front view and a side view showing the structure of the sleeve, FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view showing a second embodiment of the ceramic split sleeve guarantee test device according to the present invention, and FIGS. 4(a) and (b)
) is a front view and partially cutaway side view showing the third embodiment of the guarantee test method for ceramic split sleeves according to the present invention, and Figures 5 and 6 show the conventional guarantee test method for ceramic split sleeves. FIG. 1.15...Load applying part 1a...Maxillary driven member 1b...Mandibular driving part 2
...Ceramic split sleeve 4.20.21...Slanted surface 5.16...Protrusion 6,17...Holding part 7.
18... Gap 8... Locking protrusion 9.9=, 2
2.22-...ridge line

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The material of the split sleeve of an optical connector in which a pair of ferrules are fitted into a cylindrical split sleeve in which a slit is formed in the axial direction, and the end faces of the ferrules abut each other. When the split sleeve is made of ceramics, a specific load is applied to the split sleeve before it is applied to the optical connector, and the quality of the split sleeve is tested based on the fact that it does not break under the load. The shape of the load applying part that applies the load is divided into at least two driving members and a driven member by sliding contact surfaces that face each other in face-to-face contact along the longitudinal direction,
and has a beam-like structure with one free end, and the load applying part has ridge lines parallel to each other along the long axis direction at the farthest diagonal positions on the outer periphery, and the distance between the ridge lines is At least one of the sliding contact surfaces is an inclined surface that is smaller than the inner diameter of the split sleeve and is located at a position sandwiched between the ridge lines and is oblique to the long axis of the stress applying section. , at least the driven member of the load applying section holds the proximal end in a cantilever manner so as to be freely movable in a diametrical direction perpendicular to the long axis, and the driving member of the load applying section is reciprocally driven in the direction of the long axis. A testing device for a ceramic split sleeve, characterized in that the inclined surfaces slide relative to each other as a result of the sliding. 2. The ceramic split sleeve according to claim 1, wherein a piezoelectric element is laminated on at least one driven member of the load applying portion so as to be perpendicular to a plane including both of the ridge lines. Test equipment. 3. A dielectric material sandwiched between electrodes is laminated on at least one driven member of the load applying portion so as to be perpendicular to a plane including both of the ridge lines. Test equipment for ceramic split sleeves.